2020 ASB Classic - ATP 250

[The Green Mile]

The draw is out -

Spoiler: Draw

A lot of youngsters once more this year. No Medvedev unfortunately, was scheduled for the ASB, has withdrawn after his exploits at the ATP Cup.

Tomorrows schedule -

Spoiler: Day 1 OOP

Last years winner faces off against NZ local Michael Venus in the 1st round, a stalwart of the doubles tour.

 

[The Green Mile]

Alongside Venus, two other wildcards were given to Davidovich Fokina and Sinner as well. I'd like to see Sinner personally...

 

[Max G.]

Good wildcard choices all around.

IMO the favorites for the tournament, based on current form, have to be Shapovalov, Hurkacz, and Khachanov. Ruud seems to be playing above his ranking as well.

Gonna be fun.

 

[Sparlingo]

Good wildcard choices all around.

IMO the favorites for the tournament, based on current form, have to be Shapovalov, Hurkacz, and Khachanov. Ruud seems to be playing above his ranking as well.

Gonna be fun.

Yup, a Shapovalov, Hurkacz final is my prediction

 

[The Green Mile]

Hurkacz and Sonego arriving on court...

 

[The Green Mile]

Not a great start for line calls, come on. Already like three iffy calls in this match (one not called, Hurkacz probably doesn't want to waste another challenge), and it's only 1-0...

 

[The Green Mile]

Wow, since when can Sonego serve 220 kmh? Not that I've watched a whole lot of Lorenzo. Two consecutive aces around that speed.

He's very aggressive, very willing to move forward, mixed bag execution wise so far....

 

[The Green Mile]

Hurkacz looks like a mixture of Florian Mayer and Berdych

 

[James P]

Tight match so far

 

[The Green Mile]

Live by the forehand, die by the forehand. Tight first set, Hubert takes the 1st set 7/5. Rather average set of tennis to start the tournament off...

 

[The Green Mile]

lol, the coach of Hurkacz had to tell the chair Umpire that the players were starting the 2nd set on the wrong side

 

[James P]

lol, the coach of Hurkacz had to tell the chair Umpire that the players were starting the 2nd set on the wrong side

She cute though

 

[The Green Mile]

What is Hubert complaining about? The 2nd time he's talked to the Umpire in a disgruntled manner. Think it's something about Sonego....

 

[James P]

Hurkacz in cruise control now, 7-5 4-1.

 

[The Green Mile]

Sonego is very intense on court, isn't he? It reminds me of some juniors who make basic errors because they're over excited and are pressing a lot. Pretty poor showing in this 2nd set, a bit of ball bashing right now...

 

[The Green Mile]

Not a great start for one line judge in particular, horrible calls all match.

 

[The Green Mile]

Hubert wins 7/5 6/3...

 

[Yoneyama]

What is Hubert complaining about? The 2nd time he's talked to the Umpire in a disgruntled manner. Think it's something about Sonego....

I think he was annoyed because Sonego's audible grunt is delayed after his hit, and the grunt comes just as Hurkacz is about to hit it. I don't think it is deliberate but it sure is annoying.

 

[The Green Mile]

I think he was annoyed because Sonego's audible grunt is delayed after his hit, and the grunt comes just as Hurkacz is about to hit it. I don't think it is deliberate but it sure is annoying.

Yeah, maybe. Commentators didn't give us any insight to it, all I heard from Hubert in his rant was "5 seconds", not sure what that means.

 

[James P]

I think he was annoyed because Sonego's audible grunt is delayed after his hit, and the grunt comes just as Hurkacz is about to hit it. I don't think it is deliberate but it sure is annoying.

Dude I just noticing that and it was incredibly delayed. Like during Hurkacz' swing on his own groundstrokes. Wtf.

 

[The Green Mile]

Two excellent opening games from both players (Sandgren and Venus), 1-1. Three aces from the American, a few quickfire points from Venus, has to be quality to get past Sandgren laterally....

 

[The Green Mile]

Sandgren wins a couple of extended rallies and has BP. Ace, deuce.

Tennys is looking a lot more ripped than what I remember last time I saw him...

BP #2, DF, Tennys has the early break. 3-1.

 

[The Green Mile]

He's playing well right now, Venus. For somebody who never plays singles, he usually gives a good account of himself when he comes here. Big serves combined with big forehands, solid cross-court backhands and smart net play, never overplaying the volley. Holds on for 4-4....

 

[The Green Mile]

Damn, it was looking so good for a while. Two errors and the set is gone. Very loose forehand at 30-30 especially. Tennys can still play a lot better mind you.

 

[Midaso240]

I dig the way Shapo has been playing under the coaching of Youzhny so have to go with him for the title. Pity to lose Med but guess he has to do what's best for his chances at AO...

 

[The Green Mile]

Some more crappy line calls, come on....

 

[The Green Mile]

First serves have completely deserted Sandgren in this opening game of the 2nd set, dude is venting to his box about it. He was around mid 70s in the 1st set IIRC, Venus at 59%.

Suddenly finds two aces, 1-0.

 

[The Green Mile]

Venus broken from 40-15, just a string of errors, similar to what happened in the 1st set break. Goes through these patches...

He's gone off right here, 24 UEs all up...

Comfortable hold to consolidate, 4-1, 2nd set...

 

[Yoneyama]

Dreadful linesman in all areas of the court.

 

[The Green Mile]

A bit scrappy from Sandgren, but he's through in straights. 6/4 6/3. Served well...

 

[The Green Mile]

She cute though

Katarzyna Radwan Cho, first time I think I've seen her Umpire... Good looking for sure.

 

[prairiegirl]

Hope Shapo does well here. Would love to see him start with a second title.

 

[oldmanfan]

Hurkacz looks like a mixture of Florian Mayer and Berdych

To me:

Kurkacz = new-Mury
Sinner = new-Berd

 

[The Green Mile]

To me:

Kurkacz = new-Mury
Sinner = new-Berd

Hurkacz, not sure about that, he doesn't move or defend nearly well enough to deserve comparison to Murray IMO. Though he does have that same sort of court craft mind you. I like the Sinner one though, also said Berdych when I saw him last year.

 

[The Green Mile]

Bugger, Paire takes out Sinner in three sets. Would have liked to have seen Sinner live in person.

Today's order of play -

Spoiler: OOP

 

[The Green Mile]

Edmund and Fokina on court warming up now....

 

[The Green Mile]

Never mind, rain delay before the match even begins....

 

[The Green Mile]

Damn, not sure when the rain is going to die down. If anything, it's a bit stronger than what it was at the start....

 

[Yoneyama]

To me:

Kurkacz = new-Mury
Sinner = new-Berd

I get that feeling too.

Hurkacz groundies are eerily similar in technique/style to Murray's.

Sinner's groundies have a bit of a different technique to Berdych, but he hits them at pretty much the same pace / net clearance / flatness as Berdych did.

 

[PeteD]

MIGHTY JOHN ISNER, saving tennis one set at a time.

 

[James P]

MIGHTY JOHN ISNER, saving tennis one tiebreaker set at a time.

Fixed

 

[PeteD]

Fixed

I'll take it over this guy

 

[PeteD]

Isner couldn't have happened to a nicer guy

 

[James P]

20 straight holds lmao

 

[PeteD]

How is Isner 20th in the world? Failure to rally.

 

[PeteD]

luckily for John, Sandgren can't return either.

 

[stringertom]

A 20-18 TB for Leo Mayer to even the match with Cecchinato after an 8-6 TB in the first set for Marco.

 

[stringertom]

I get that feeling too.

Hurkacz groundies are eerily similar in technique/style to Murray's.

Sinner's groundies have a bit of a different technique to Berdych, but he hits them at pretty much the same pace / net clearance / flatness as Berdych did.

Does HH have a FH DTL? If so, advantage to the Pole.

 

[James P]

Hurkacz continues looking good early season.

 

[Max G.]

Could have been a shaky start for Shapovalov - he was down 15-40 in his first service game, second serve, and then caught his toss because he messed it up. I thought for sure he'd get broken to start. But he hit a few good serves and good groundies, held on, and then snatched a break, now up a break midway through the first. Still not playing great, but so far playing well enough for the opponent he has.

Shapo had another shaky moment when he was serving up a set and 4-3; missed some shots, clearly got annoyed with himself and let it get to him. Pulled it together for the tiebreak, though, advanced in straights.

Next up for him is Humbert. Should also be good.